Politics / John Bryson Bryson Resigns After Seizure, Car Accidents Commerce Secretary informs president of resignation By Evann Gastaldo, Newser Staff Posted Jun 21, 2012 10:38 AM CDT Copied In this February 23, 2012 file photo, Secretary of Commerce John Bryson speaks about privacy at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) After taking a leave of absence earlier this month after a seizure and a series of car accidents, Commerce Secretary John Bryson is stepping down, Politico reports. He informed the department's employees today in a letter obtained by the Wall Street Journal, and said he has submitted his resignation to President Obama. "I have come to the conclusion that I need to step down to prevent distractions from this critical mission" of building the US economy, he writes. His deputy, Rebecca Blank, will serve as acting secretary. (More John Bryson stories.) Report an error